Abstract

Skin aging is a complex process that is strongly affected by UV radiation, which stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the epidermis and dermis and subsequently causes skin damage. Among the major consequences are increased collagen degradation and reduced collagen synthesis. Previous reports have demonstrated the beneficial effects of polyphenols for healthy skin. Passiflora tarminiana Coppens & V.E. Barney, a species of the Passifloraceae family, is widely distributed in South America and is rich in flavonoids. We show that UVB radiation increases metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and reduces procollagen production in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We examined the antioxidant and antiaging effects of the extract and fractions of P. tarminiana fruits. The fractions showed high polyphenol content (620mg EAG/g) and antioxidant activity, as measured by ORAC (4097μmol ET/g) and ABTS (2992μmol ET/g) assays. The aqueous fraction drastically inhibited the collagenase enzyme (IC50 0.43μg/mL). The extract and fractions presented photoprotective effects by reducing UVB-induced MMP-1 production, increasing UVB-inhibited procollagen production, and decreasing ROS production after UVB irradiation in HDF. Finally, the polyphenol contents of the extracts and fractions from P. tarminiana were analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn, and procyanidins and glycosylated flavonoids were identified.